Around 1.8 million people applied through the official ballot for the 6.6 million public tickets available for the Olympics but around 55 per cent of applicants missed out, meaning just short of one million people failed in their bid to secure tickets.

All applicants who missed out on getting a ticket will receive priority in the second draw, which is on a first-come, first-served basis at the end of this month, but many fans have become disillusioned with the London 2012 draw and have instead turned to package deals from Tier Two London 2012 sponsor Thomas Cook who guarantee some of the best Olympic tickets alongside stays in some of London's top hotels.

Stephen Vaughan, the managing director of Thomas Cook's London 2012 partnership, told insidethegames: "Now that everyone knows if they've won a ticket in the ballot, we're experiencing a substantial increase in bookings, especially for those events that have been oversubscribed.

"A number of our packages are starting to sell out - at both the bottom and the top end price points - and there is only limited availability through us now on some of the higher profile events."

Around 80 per cent of Thomas Cook's ticket and hotel packages are under £500 ($819) per person, with prices for Thomas Cook's packages starting at £99 ($162) per person.

The travel agency has also denied reports that it will not be offering one-person London 2012 Games packages, as they have stated that such options are available to fans.

"Many of our Games Breaks do contain single room options, which are available on request at most of our hotels and customers should contact us so we can arrange," a spokesperson for Thomas Cook UK and Ireland told insidethegames.

"Our website does contain some Games Breaks with single rooms available now."

To date, Thomas Cook's most popular breaks are for one night with one or two events with the most popular sports being athletics, gymnastics, volleyball and water polo.

Some popular breaks still available include a one night, one event package to see women's beach volleyball from £109 ($179) per person on August 3, 2012, with a one night stay in the Ibis Hotel at London Heathrow and a one night, one event package to see men's diving from £299 ($490) per person on August 10, 2012, with a one night stay in the Holiday Inn Heathrow.

To book a London 2012 package deal with Thomas Cook click here or call 0844 800 2012.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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